Newbie - Stage 1.

[NewKel]

I found out that I had Hep C just over 7 years ago. I contracted it after being stuck by two of my mother's needles as a child. I would guess this was approximately 14 years ago.

When I was having my gallbladder removed last month, the doctor offered to do a liver biopsy to check in on my liver. The biopsy documentation that the surgeon gave me states, "Chronic Hep C showing mild activity (grade 1) with portal fibrosis (stage 1)."

I've been reading up for an appointment with the liver specialist, for this coming Monday. A lot of the writings and blogs I've come across show that stage 1 patients have difficulties getting approved for treatments. I thought I would turn to a forum and see if anyone has had any luck. 

[BubbaT]

Hi newkewl,

Welcome to the forum,    Your insurance co will guide you thru the hoops as I call it,
I have seen many get approved with F-0. &. F1 fibrosis scores, it starts with your
Company depending on which one you have, and it is sometimes a lengthy process
From what I have read here on the forum.

Good luck and keep us posted on your success,

I noticed you said you were diagnosed 7 yrs ago, that means your are younger than most of us here.  Why was your gallbladder removed? Curious

[dragonslayer]

Hi newkewl,

Welcome to the forum,    Your insurance co will guide you thru the hoops as I call it,
I have seen many get approved with F-0. &. F1 fibrosis scores, it starts with your
Company depending on which one you have, and it is sometimes a lengthy process
From what I have read here on the forum.

Good luck and keep us posted on your success,

I noticed you said you were diagnosed 7 yrs ago, that means your are younger than most of us here.  Why was your gallbladder removed? Curious

Not necessarily. . I was diagnosed 7 yrs ago and Im 65!

Newkel,  Im stage 0-1, grade 0-1 and got approved promptly, so it can go either way..  If you get an initial decline, stay with it; most people eventually get approved via the appeal process if initially declined.. Dont worry... now is a very good time to seek treatment, and its only going to get better in the near future.

[NewKel]

BubbaT-- thanks for the reply.  I'm 29. I'm thinking through a lot of big decisions this weekend, including moving back home after being away a few years. The treatment plays a role in the decisions of course, so it's making my head hurt thinking through it all. 

My gallbladder was removed after having horrible indigestion. I went to the ER due to pain and found that I was passing a stone that got lodged, which also resulted in pancreatitis. the surgeon was fantastic and when I explained I hadn't had the biopsy done yet he said he'd go ahead and do it while he was in there. Two birds with one stone, ha.

[BubbaT]

Hey newkewl,

The good news is your young, that's great, and I know what it feels like to have to make difficult decisions with your brain fighting you back, I have dealt with a chronic hcv infection since 95, and it has taken a toll on my 57 yr old body.

I start week 7 Harvoni this week and I'm doing much better, but my liver is in much worse shape than yours, so be encouraged my friend...

And be very deliberate about the discussing the symptoms you are experiencing when you see your liver Dr., is he a GI or hepatologist?

Whatever you are experiencing in the way of symptoms from the hepc, tell him or her
If you brain fog, and any other symptom you have...

They will run several blood test, and may run other test also ultra-sound, CT, it's up to your treating physician.

Hope I can be of help to you along the way, I'm glad to hear you are getting help...

[Blue]

Welcome NewKel,

This is a great place to get information!  I was denied initially and had to fight to get the med's.  I. agree with what BubbaT said, you need to be very clear about any symptoms you might be having.  I was in for my 8 wk follow-up this week and I felt like a bit of a celebrity.  My Dr. told me they are having difficulty getting people approved, even at higher stages.  He couldn't believe that I got them to approve the last 4 weeks.  They initially approved 8 weeks after lots of hoop jumping and because I was a prior treat, my Dr. added on the additional 4 weeks.  They wouldn't pay but I kept after it and finally someone was able to push it through.  I learned to be clear about my symptoms which was hard since I completely diminished them in my brain.  Before med's, I was very active, hiking, biking, tennis, working long hours etc.  the reality is within 2 weeks of starting the med's I felt so much better.  I thought my severe fatigue was from doing so much and joint pain just a sign of aging.  I had pretty severe symptoms but just kept going.  I'm not tired anymore and the joint pain is totally gone.  I was approved for the last 4 weeks because I was able to articulate that to every person I talked to.  My Dr. told me that he thinks I got the med's initially because he reported severe fatigue. 

So clearly report any symptoms.

I heard that Support Path was paying for some people's medication if they earned less than $100,000.  Things are ever changing with the insurers and what they will pay for.

I knew it was my time to do the treatment and I believed that and I was lucky.

Good luck!
______________________________________
Genotype 1b, VL 4.8m, stage 1
Interferon/Ribavirin nonresponder 2003
Started Harvoni 2/5/15
@ 4 weeks <15 Detected
@ 8 weeks   Not Detected

[BubbaT]

Hey Blue and newkewl,

After reading Blue's post something really stood out to me about what he said about
DIMINISHIING the symptoms in his brain,

That is exactly what I was doing, I dealt with increasing fatigue and pain in my side for so many years that I would subconsciously suppress the symptoms and when I was at the Dr. it seemed like he wasn't listening when I told him what symptoms I was having, he had been doing blood work only previous to Harvoni Being approved in October 2014, in my case I told him I had brain fog, and he checked my ammonia, it was real high @222 and he ran a fibrosure test on me that came back F4, so I was approved 2 weeks later...

this is how my deal went, hope this helps...

[Debula]

Welcome. 
Please remember that if all else fails with your insurance you can still get the meds through Gilead my support path as long as you meet income requirements.
My insurance approved me but my liver is is worse shape and my co pay woukd gave been $83 per bottle.  With my support path I only pay $5
There are people here that can guide you if it comes to that

Good luck